Proposition 90 seeks to bar state and local government from condemning or damaging private property to promote other private projects or uses. It seeks to regulate the definition of “just compensation” if a property is condemned or taken by eminent domain, and it seeks to limit government’s authority to adopt certain land use, housing, consumer, environmental, and workplace laws and regulations except when necessary to preserve public health or safety. (Note, the initiative, if passed, applies to all types of private property such as cars, buildings, etc., not just lands or homes).

Proposition 1C would authorize the state to sell bonds to finance affordable housing projects.

These issues are complex and the decision to vote for against each one will require a commitment of considerable time for the conscientious voter. Still, I encourage every responsible citizen to sit down and read not just the pro and con arguments, but the proposition itself, as there will be language in there that the pro and con writers will either choose to ignore or to take out of context.

I can not presume to advise you how to vote. Everybody must vote according to his or her own conscience. Personally I get angry to think that ordinary citizens are being asked to make decisions that we really are not qualified to make. That is what we pay our legislators to do for us. However, it always seems to come down to this and it cannot be ignored. The issues are way too important, so please, do vote and please do vote responsibly.